The breathing of the floundering giant who was trying to conquer Merriwell sounded hoarsely through the gloom, and there was something awesome in it. Suddenly the sounds stopped. The struggle seemed to be ended. Who had conquered?
At the risk of betraying his position to the man who might be waiting to shoot at him, Bart ventured to call:
“Merriwell!”
Hodge’s heart gave a leap of joy when Frank’s voice answered:
“Here! Are you all right?”
“Sure thing! And you?”
“Well, I’ve succeeded in quieting this chap, though he did put up an awful fight.”
“Look out for the other!”
“Then he is——”
“He’s around here somewhere. I popped at him two or three times, but I didn’t bag him.”